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JAPANESE FOUNDATION AIDS ALFRED

The Inamori Foundation of Japan has donated more than $90,000 to Alfred University to create an interdisciplinary program for ceramic art and engineering at the State College of Ceramics.

The gift, announced by Edward G. Coll Jr., university president, honors Kazuo Inamori, founder and chairman of the board of the Kyocera Corp., a leading manufacturer of ceramic materials.

Inamori, who received an honorary doctorate from Alfred University in 1988, also founded DDI Communications, the first private telecommunications company in Japan.

"In keeping with Dr. Inamori's wishes, the scholarship program we are establishing in his name will reflect his continuing interest both in advanced materials technology and in the creative and spiritual side of art," Coll said.

The scholarships will be presented each year to art and engineering students in the College of Ceramics, based on academic qualifications and financial need. The recipients will be known as Kazuo Inamori Scholars.

An annual award to be known as the Inamori Award of Distinction will be presented to the engineering student with the highest standing in Japanese language studies.